25 Tons of Soap On the Wall…
In the beginning, we made soap in Derreck Kayongo’s basement. Once we got our first soap machine however, Mimms Enterprises, a family run property management firm in Georgia, generously donated warehouse space so that we could begin storing and processing large quantities of soap. We bought the soap machine from a wonderful couple who had retired from the soap making business to follow their passion to deliver water sanitation supplies to developing nations. While it is certainly the the anchor of our operation, it doesn’t quite keep up with the overwhelming supply of soap that we have waiting to be processed.
In June, we recruited some friends and family to come out to the warehouse and help us move, organize and store over 25 tons of soap – making room for some much needed improvements including a second soap machine and some industrial shelving and bins for a better manufacturing workflow.
We look forward to bringing back all of these volunteers to help us churn all that soap into brand new bars!
Knee deep in bags and boxes of soap
Buried treasure? No. Just sorting out the occasional soap wrapper.
Oh look! More soap!
Half-way done and scraping soap residue from the now visible floors.
25 tons of soap in our temporary storage space.
Thanks again to our amazing, strong, committed, funny, energetic and awesome volunteers. Special thanks to Melissa Bundy for documenting the experience!
I have often thought about what a waste this soap issue was, but never went past
that initial thought!!! Congratulations to Derreck Kayongo for putting his thought into
action. YOU ARE A HERO. What a brilliant, simple idea.
sandy
congratulations, i personally have tried to make soap and met challenges with the machines, so i get excited to see someone get that far.
i have lots of personal soap slivers, much like you are needing and describing that i don’t like to throw out but don’t use and i’m piling them up. can i send them to you if i collect other families slivers too?
Hi Julie – thank you so much for your offer! Unfortunately, we can only use soap collected hotels as we can get a very large volume of soap with identical ingredients. We cannot mix different brands as some of the ingredients – oils, perfumes, etc – do not blend well together. We do appreciate your offer and your support!
Keep up the good work! I am certain that it is greatly appreciated by the countries you are helping.
I was so moved by the story when it aired earlier this year!!! Such a simple, but thoughtful ACT of KINDNESS!! How can girls, age 15-17 years, help your cause – CHILDREN ??
Awesome Solution to a big waste of bar soaps..keep up doing the great job
What an idea to touch lives in no small way. I would gladly like to volunteer if you ever extend your love to folks in Nigeria. Nice one.
Hi Susan – we’ve heard a lot of stories about people creating a “super soap” but combining wet slivers of soap into a new bar. You can also grind the slivers into power and use it as a laundry detergent. Here’s some more ideas: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycle-soap